AsianOil - Asia Oil & Gas
Myanmar introduces power rationing amid rising electricity demand
Myanmar will introduce targeted electricity distribution measures as rising demand strains supply, the Ministry of Electric Power has announced.
Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel supply
Cambodia is increasing fuel imports from Singapore and Malaysia to offset supply shortfalls caused by export restrictions from Vietnam and China, Energy Minister Keo Rottanak told Reuters.
Falling crude output raises Vietnam’s import dependency concerns
Vietnam is set to see domestic crude oil output decline this decade, heightening reliance on imports as ageing offshore fields and geopolitical tensions disrupt supply, according to a government report released this week.
Pakistan warns of post-April LNG gap as supplies start to dry up
Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum has been warned that the country could face difficulties meeting gas demand in the power sector after April 14, as imported LNG supplies are set to lapse.
India denies media reports of Iran tanker swap deal
New Delhi is navigating a delicate balance between its energy dependence on Gulf suppliers.
Bangladesh steps up LNG purchases as Asia feels tightening of supplies
Bangladesh is moving to secure additional LNG supplies from the spot market as part of the intensifying strain on global energy markets linked to the war in Iran and knock-on effects with supplies.
Japan’s JERA proposes LNG plant for Oahu as Tokyo grapples with energy strains
Japan’s largest power generation company has set out plans to develop a liquefied natural gas-fired plant on Oahu, positioning the project as a lower-cost alternative to oil-based generation.
Japan eyes Alaska oil tie-up as supply risks mount
Japan is preparing to use a forthcoming summit in the US to advance co-operation on crude production in Alaska, as Tokyo seeks to shore up energy security against mounting disruption linked to the conflict in Iran.
Bangladesh approves emergency spot LNG purchases
Bangladesh has stepped up efforts to secure emergency energy supplies after a cabinet committee approved the purchase of two spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Aramco Trading Singapore.
India seeks Chinese urea supplies as Middle East conflict threatens fertiliser output
ndia has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts natural gas supplies and raises concerns over fertiliser production in the South Asian country.
Turkey emerges as revived route for Iraqi oil amid Hormuz crisis
Baghdad accelerates revamp of long-idle pipeline puy out of action more than a decade ago by bomb attacks.
Philippines down to its last three weeks of fuel reserves, turns to Russia for help
The Philippines is currently navigating a perilous and largely overlooked period of economic vulnerability: its national fuel supply could run out in around three to four weeks if international imports don't arrive soon.
Laos boosts electric vehicles to curb fuel demand
Laos has unveiled sweeping measures to reduce fuel use, including cheaper fees for electric vehicles and higher costs for petrol cars.
Cambodia plans refinery as fuel prices keep climbing
Cambodia plans to build its first oil refinery by 2029 as fuel costs continue to rise.Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak said the country is also aiming to establish a crude oil stockpile to strengthen energy security.
Indonesia explores oil imports from Brunei
The government of Indonesia is reportedly assessing the possibility of importing crude oil from Brunei as part of efforts to safeguard national energy security
Sri Lanka declares weekly fuel holiday
Sri Lanka has designated every Wednesday a public holiday to conserve fuel as the country confronts the risk of supply shortages.
Another Japanese petrochemical producer cuts ethylene output
The Japanese refiner has lowered the operating rates at its ethylene facilities in Ichihara in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, and in Shunan in Yamaguchi Prefecture, according to company officials.
Bangladesh could save $3bn in LNG imports with 1 GW solar expansion
Bangladesh could reduce its LNG import expenditure by nearly $3bn over the next 25 years if it develops 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power capacity, according to a new analysis by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
Vietnam seeks Japan, South Korea's help in securing crude oil
Vietnam has approached Japan and South Korea for assistance in securing crude oil supplies as global energy markets face disruption caused by the Iran conflict.
Vietnam prepares for possible flight cuts as jet fuel supplies tighten
Vietnam’s aviation sector has been told to prepare for possible flight reductions from April after China and Thailand suspended jet fuel exports, raising concerns over supply shortages linked to the Iran conflict.
Malaysia limits fuel for Thai vehicles amid shortages
Malaysian petrol stations near the Thai border have limited fuel purchases by Thai-registered vehicles to MYR35 (nearly $8) per fill as authorities move to prevent shortages and curb smuggling.
Thailand confirms oil exports to Laos amid regional concerns
Thailand will continue supplying oil to Laos despite regional fuel security worries caused by the Middle East conflict, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on March 15.
Rising fuel prices deepen struggles for Cambodian rice farmers
Rising fuel costs are adding pressure to Cambodia’s rice farmers, who are already struggling with high fertiliser prices and low market returns.
Laos pushes remote work, renewable energy to curb fuel use
The Lao government has unveiled a series of measures to reduce fuel consumption and ease economic pressure from rising global energy prices.
Japan weighs options to protect vessels in Strait of Hormuz
Speaking during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee, Takaichi addressed calls from Donald Trump for other countries, including Japan, to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard oil shipments.
Japan begins release of strategic oil reserves
Japan has begun releasing oil from its reserves as the government seeks to mitigate the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran following US-Israeli strikes on the country.
Philippine drivers threaten strike as diesel nears $2
Public transport drivers in the Philippines plan a nationwide strike beginning March 19 as rising fuel prices squeeze incomes and push operating costs sharply higher.
Malaysia spends $425mn monthly to maintain fuel prices
The government of Malaysia is allocating around $425mn each month to maintain subsidised fuel prices for RON95 petrol, keeping it at $0.42 per litre despite ongoing global uncertainty
Pakistan restricts furnace oil exports, mandates approval amid regional energy tensions
Pakistan has directed domestic oil refineries to obtain prior government approval before exporting furnace oil as authorities move to safeguard local fuel availability amid disruptions to Middle East energy flows.
Pakistan raises kerosene price by 12%
Pakistan has sharply increased the price of kerosene by PKR39.20 per litre, raising the retail rate to PKR358.1 ($1.28) per litre.
Mongolia to rely on Russia for all petroleum product imports amid China ban on shipments
All of Mongolia’s imported petroleum products will come from Russia this year as China has banned such shipments, according to Mongolian Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Begzsuren Enkhtuvshin.
Fuel price searches surge in Vietnam as EV interest grows
Online searches related to fuel prices in Vietnam jumped sharply in early March as market volatility intensified, while public interest in electric vehicles (EVs) also climbed
Oil shock could lift inflation, slow Vietnam growth
Rising global oil prices driven by Middle East tensions may place pressure on Vietnam’s economic growth and inflation, an expert has warned.
Thailand’s PTT urges calm as fuel demand rises
Thailand’s energy giant PTT has said that a guideline suggesting limits on fuel purchases at its service stations is only a precautionary measure and not a compulsory restriction.
Thailand rations fuel as Middle East war disrupts supply
Thailand has begun implementing fuel rationing at some petrol stations as authorities rush to secure energy supplies following disruptions caused by escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Laos monitors fuel stocks after sudden price spike
Laos has launched nationwide inspections of fuel stations and storage facilities amid concerns about supply disruptions and possible stockpiling.
Lao Airlines raises ticket fees up to 125%
Lao Airlines has announced a sharp increase in fuel surcharges on both domestic and international flights as soaring global energy prices continue to place pressure on the aviation sector.
COMMENT: whoever wins control of the Straits of Hormuz will control half of China's oil flow
A battle is looming for control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Whoever controls the narrow passage between Iran and Oman effectively holds a lever over a large share of global energy flows.
Thailand eyes Russian oil talks as Middle East supplies face risk
The Persian Gulf typically provides around 50% of Thailand’s oil imports, he said, but these supplies are now under threat due to the military conflict in the Middle East.
Japan considers reviving LNG carrier construction
Japan has fallen well behind China and South Korea in shipbuilding volumes, particularly in the production of LNG carriers.
JERA and Kogas ink MoU on LNG cooperation
The world’s largest LNG buyers JERA and Kogas have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase cooperation in the LNG sector.
Middle East conflict spurs LNG Canada to increase exports
Shell-operated LNG has stepped up production and cargoes exports as buyers in Asia scramble for supply in the midst of the conflict in the Middle East.
Asia and Europe to battle over dwindling LNG cargoes
Asian and European energy buyers are competing to secure increasingly scarce LNG cargoes after conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on March 12.
ING: Asia’s outlook under higher oil prices
While inflation risks remain largely manageable at the moment given a low starting point, higher import bills will result in weaker trade balances with some currencies like PHP, THB, INR and KRW more vulnerable.
Around 70% of India’s crude oil imports now bypass Hormuz
India now sources approximately 70% of its crude oil imports via supply lines that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, significantly cutting the country’s exposure to disruptions resulting from the prevailing tensions in the Middle East.
Myanmar trials digital verification for fuel purchases
Myanmar will begin testing a QR code system for fuel purchases in a bid to cut long queues at petrol stations.
Nearly 2,000 Cambodian petrol stations shut amid fuel shortages
Nearly 2,000 fuel stations in Cambodia have temporarily closed due to a shortage of petrol and diesel, prompting government action to stabilise supply.
India negotiates with Iran for safe passage of fuel carriers
According to a March 12 2026 press briefing by India's Ministry of External Affairs, minister in charge, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has held three separate conversations with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
Sri Lanka defends decision to hike fuel prices
Sri Lanka’s government has defended its decision to sharply raise domestic fuel prices, saying the move was necessary to discourage excessive consumption and prevent a potential supply shortage.
Philippines braces for another fuel price rise
Authorities in the Philippines are forecasting a subsequent rise in petroleum costs for the upcoming week, citing persistent instability across global energy markets.
Cambodia keeps electricity prices stable despite fuel pressures
Cambodia’s government is absorbing higher electricity production costs to keep power prices stable despite the global fuel crisis.
South Korea to impose temporary fuel price cap system
South Korea will introduce a temporary ceiling on fuel prices starting at midnight in an effort to ease the financial burden on consumers and businesses following a sharp rise in oil costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Medco Energi secures $100mn loan facility from HSBC Singapore
PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk has obtained a $100mn loan facility following the signing of a financing agreement with HSBC’s Singapore branch on March 10
Oil price tops $100 a barrel - again
Brent crude rose almost 9% in early Asian trading, surpassing $100 a barrel, despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) announcing late on March 11 that all 32 member countries would release up to 400mn barrels of oil.
Pertamina Hulu Rokan begins tender collusion case hearing
Indonesia’s Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has begun hearings into the alleged tender collusion case linked to the procurement of geomembrane materials by PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR)
China largely insulated from global energy price shocks
Although China is the world’s largest net oil importer and a major purchaser of Iranian crude, several factors mitigate the impact on its economy.
Washington to open strategic oil reserves, release 172mn barrels
The United States will release 172mn barrels of oil from its emergency stockpiles starting in the week as part of an effort to curb rising energy prices following the outbreak of war.
India prioritises domestic gas supply for city gas network
The Indian government has instructed gas distributors to prioritise domestic natural gas and regasified LNG supplies for the city gas distribution (CGD) network.
Philippines advances bill allowing temporary fuel tax relief
The House of Representatives of the Philippines has approved on second reading a proposal that would permit Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to temporarily suspend or lower excise duties on petroleum products during periods of economic crisis.
Seoul to release 22.46mn barrels from oil reserves
South Korea will release 22.46mn barrels of crude oil from its strategic petroleum reserves as part of a coordinated plan by members of the International Energy Agency to supply 400mn barrels to global markets.
Follow us online